Coach batting for Siya
BOK COACH: HE HAS RISEN TO THE OCCASION OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS
Erasmus feels for Nkosi who drops out for fit-again Kolbe.
It will be of great significance to South Africa as a country, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus believes, if captain Siya Kolisi lifts the William Webb Ellis Cup after tomorrow’s Rugby World Cup final against England.
Kolisi is set to earn his 50th Bok cap in the title clash, and he is gearing up to lead the national team for the 20th time in his career.
“It’s a great achievement for Siya,” Erasmus said.
“Any Springbok captain carries a heavy load – probably doubly so in Siya’s case – and he has really risen to the occasion over the past two years.”
With the Boks hoping to secure their third global crown, Kolisi had the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of former skipper Francois Pienaar in 1995 and John Smit in 2007.
“No one is hiding from the significance that would be attached to Siya lifting the trophy on behalf of this team and South Africa,” Erasmus said.
“But first and foremost on Saturday this is a rugby match that we’re only focused on winning.”
After naming just one change to the Bok side yesterday, with wing Cheslin Kolbe being recalled after recovering from an ankle injury, Erasmus said they would not be content with just making the final, they were eager to go one step further.
“Getting to this stage is not enough for this team,” he said.
“We now have what may be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to become world champions, something that would mean so much to our country and our people.”
Erasmus opted to keep the now familiar six-two split on the bench, fielding a settled line-up.
As a team, the match 23 first played together in their victory over Italy in the pool stages last month, and they were retained for all three playoff fi xtures at the tournament, with only Kolbe’s brief absence interrupting the pattern.
S’bu Nkosi had nonetheless been unlucky to drop out of the match 23, Erasmus admitted, after he had replaced Kolbe in their semifinal win over Wales.
“Chessie is fully fit and ready to go,” Erasmus said.
“It’s tough on S’bu to drop out of the 23 altogether but, like the other seven non-playing squad members and the two injured players back home (Trevor Nyakane and Jesse Kriel), he has made vital contributions to our campaign.”